Chapter 2. Sneaky time

My journey to the capital begins early in the morning of the next day. The fact that I'm useless as a warrior seems to have spread wide among the soldiers, which is very concerning. Lacking poweress is one of the main reasons that make Daichi so unpopular among the military officers of Takeuchi Clan. Although I have no real fighting experience, I've learnt kendo in my past life with my sister so I hope after doing exercises from now on, I can be a little bit tougher in fighting.

Now, I am enjoying myself under the accompaniment of Ayaka. Watching the girl trying her best to make tea under the bouncing movement of the carriage loosened my heart somehow. I lean forward and try to help her; she opens her eyes in surprise. At this age, there are certain differences in status between classes and the upper ones sometimes have the privilege to control the lives of the lower classes. For instance, a samurai can kill a peasant and just have to pay a small amount of money or stay in jail for a few days. But if a peasant shows disrespect to a samurai, he'll face certain death.

Thus, I, the heir to a daimyo, help a samurai's daughter in jobs like making tea that often done by the lower class is not regularly seen and even considered bad.

"D...Daichi-sama,"

"Sugh!It is our secret, okay?"

I put a finger on her lips and smiled in an Ikemen way. Oh shit! I have been out of an old habit of flirting with women in my past life. I see Ayaka's face shows uneasiness, sorry, girl! I didn't mean to do that.

To recover from the weird atmosphere in the carriage, I look out the window after making a cup of tea for myself. Countryside views with pastures or lumber yards can be seen around. In modern days, those can't be easily seen after a bunch of industrialization and modernization. Although the samurai riding horses sometimes block my sight, it irritates me about these bold men who want to ruin my mood.

Traveling from sunrise to sunset, we decided to camp about a mile from a town. With more than 200 soldiers protecting me, it would cause confusion if we appeared in a town. If I'm not mistaken, this town's name is Kiiro, and it will be my first location to move the first step, helping me not to engage in any miserable end.

Kiiro is a town with a population of around 3000, and one of the most prosperous towns in Eiko Province. The warm sake of Kirro is one of the specialties that attract the travelers as well as the rich merchants or nobles. Hence, the number of taverns here is uncountable and the samurai who governs this town earn a decent profit from taxes.

But wine has nothing to do with what I'm going to do. The important thing that makes this town special is that the legendary blacksmith who invented the no-daichi sword was born and died here. The no-daichi sword is a type of Japanese sword that is very difficult to make and until now, only the Daimyos have some and pass through generations as a kind of treasure.

That blacksmith's name is still unknown; however, people often call him Aoi-sama after his death. His mansion is still undamaged since it is well-preserved by the local authority for nearly 200 years. In 20-year time, a basement that store documents of how to forge a no-daichi sword will be discovered under his mansion by one of the Empress's future generals, Ieyasu Tokioka and one of the most fearsome cavalry units, the Tokioka's Wind, is born equipped with these no-daichi swords.

The general weapons used by the samurai now is taichi, which in my last world were common before the Mongol Invasion of Japan; after that, the superior katana came into development and became the main weapons hundreds of years later on. If I manage to lay my hands on the documents before Ieyasu, I'll gain significant advantages in enlarging my power.

After the camp is set and dinner is served. I'd begin my journey to the town with Ayaka and 4 more samurais accompanying me. Some will say that it'll be dangerous for me to go there with just a couple of men. Many of the soldiers following me are my father's men; if he finds out what I'm going to do, I'll face a series of questions that cannot be answered.

After showing my status, the gatekeepers let us in without any questions. Being a high noble provides me with certain privileges. The street is still crowded in the middle of the night, with lanterns hanging alongside the road to provide some atmosphere as well as light for people who want to spend some time rejuvenating from their hard work in the morning.

"What do you think of this town, Ayaka?"

Like the last time I tried to talk to her, but she is surprised this time, too. It seems like the old Daichi did not interact with her so often. Haizz, poor boy, the boy who is rumored to be one of the ten beauties in "Road to Empress" but you haven't done anything yet. Only two years later you're drunk from the feast and come back sleeping with her against her will. Feeling sorry after that, Daichi marries her and does this to gain her favor; unluckily, their marriage seems not to be happy in the book.

"I think it is beautiful, Takeuchi-sama," She says after looking around for a while.

"I think the same, too, Ayaka. After I come to Raion Castle, I'll build an even more beautiful place than this?"

" If it's Daichi-sama, I believe you can do it," Ayaka says while smiling slightly.

Huh! I feel something that has just pierced through my heart. It's not something that can kill me, it is the cuteness of Ayaka that does it. Calm yourself, idiot! You cannot act awkwardly and become stupid in front of your subordinates.

Asking some locals the road to Aoi's mansion, we finally get there. Guards are guarding the place and it doesn't seem like my status can get me through without causing some noises. So, I decided to settle ourselves in a tavern behind the mansion and order some food and wine. I ask the samurai to sit at another table and buy them some wind and meat to rest themselves while Ayaka keeps inspiring, standing beside me and being in charge of pouring wine onto my cup.

After about 30 minutes, I get off my seat and tell Ayaka that I'm going to "relieve myself" a little. Then, I sneak to the back of the store and climb onto the wall. Aoi's mansion's yard can be seen and there is no guard in sight. I harden my hands and successfully climb to the yard. Then, my journey inside the mansion begins.